Delaware County Seniors Find Rewarding Careers Caring for Seniors

Statistics show that many older workers are no longer ready to retire at age 65. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of older workers age 65 – 74 is expected to increase by 83.4 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Older adults are working longer for a variety of reasons including economic need and the desire to stay active and engaged. The results of a 2013 Marist poll sponsored by Home Instead, Inc. show that, of those who said they plan to continue working after retirement, 42 percent said that was because of an anticipated need for income, while 58 percent said it was because they wanted to continue working.

A Delaware County senior care expert says he has seen a trend in older workers taking jobs where they can help other seniors.

“We employ a number of older CAREGivers, and they tell me that they enjoy working with seniors because they’ve been through a lot of the same life experiences,” said Jim Larsen, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Delaware County. “They can relate. And, in the case of home care, for example, they can empathize. They want to help seniors stay in their homes because they would want that option to be available for them.”

Larsen added that many of the older CAREGivers he has hired have been new to the industry.

“A lot of the older CAREGivers on our team have worked in other fields or not worked outside the home before,” he said. “But maybe they’ve cared for a parent or a spouse, and they’ve found that it’s rewarding for them to help others. They bring a lot of personal experience with them, and that makes them great professional CAREGivers.”

Seventy-four year-old Helen Turner, who has worked as a CAREGiver for nearly four years, agrees.

“The hours are flexible and I know I am making a difference in people’s lives,” said Turner. “I love working with our elderly clients, caring for them as though they are family. My mother-in-law was 89-years-old when she came to live in our home. That almost three year experience with her challenged me and improved my patience and coping skills. It also provided me a greater understanding of the needs of the elderly, which has been very helpful in my work for Home Instead.”

For more information about career opportunities with Home Instead Senior Care, please call (610) 565-8901 or visit www.homeinstead.com/472.